Thursday, October 25, 2007
Home Improvement


I’m a victim. It’s not my fault. Those home improvement shows on television entrapped me. After my husband ordered the expanded cable television, I watched Design on a Dime on HGTV, and my problem snowballed. Soon I was enthralled by similar shows, like Deserving Design, Clean House, Color Correction, Mission: Organization, and Carter Can. The transformations of the homes on these shows, under the direction of young, hip, and extremely bold and confident designers, are usually nothing short of breathtaking and miraculous.
Suddenly I saw my house for what it really was—not my comfortable, lived-in, warm and inviting refuge from the world: it was shabby and worn, with garish wallpaper, faded and threadbare window treatments and hopelessly dated formica counter tops. Where were my clean lines, my pleasing “spaces”, my color palate designed to soothe and relax? The shows convinced me that I needed hardwood or laminate flooring, granite countertops, a versatile cooking island in the kitchen flanked by stainless steel appliances, and a master suite with a walk-in closet as big as my current bedroom.
So I began tackling “projects” around the house. Decluttering the storage room, and cleaning and organizing the spare bedrooms. Tearing out the sink and the vanity in the upstairs bathroom. Ordering a new front door and a sidelight. Stripping and staining the back deck, dreaming up designs for a master suite retreat. The problem is, I’ve started all these projects…but haven’t finished any of them. But it’s not my fault. I place the blame solely on those addicting shows. Not only does watching them take away time that I could spend working on my projects, but each new show seems to highlight areas in my own house that are in desperate need of attention, causing me to plow into yet another project.
Obviously I’m an inept designer, organizer, and project manager. So I’ve been justifying my inadequate efforts. What’s wrong with the old stuff anyway? Is old necessarily bad? Is updating obligatory? All that time and energy expended, not to mention money. Should I change my thinking to be in line with this old adage?
Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do, or do without.
I can almost make do by just watching the television transformations, instead of trying to enact them. And actually, I may be making some progress. Half of the bathroom is now painted Cascading Water (the paint color), although now I’m wondering if it really evokes the right emotional response….
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When the renovations start getting pricey, just remember, resale value!
I am addicted to home flipping and home selling shows.
I am addicted to home flipping and home selling shows.
Will the people who grew up knowing your house (your children and their friends) even recognize it when you're through? I am excited! Good luck!
I love the home AND garden improvement shows, as well as the House flipping shows... those are all in reruns it seems, too bad. I haven't actually tried to renovate my house though -- maybe when the kids are a few years older and out of their destructive stage. Why don't you post photos of your progress?
But Ceej, those pics ARE my progress! Stripped wall, then half-painted wall! I'm not sure I like the color, so I'm waiting to see if it grows on me....
Sure a house is an investment, but my philosophy is that a house is to live in. Make your home into what YOU want. If it is not just like the dreamy homes on the home shows, that is ok. Those shows are really a marketing tool to sell all that pretty stuff they use. But I do understand perfectly your desire to attempt those wonderful projects.
We're masters! We've mastered the concept of unfinished projects. On the bright side, it makes you look busy. If folk come over, you can say, "excuse the mess... we're redecorating." The key is to move the redecorating around. Play musical rooms ;)
If you have the time and the money, then I don't see a problem with redecorating your house. You are "making do" with the house you live in, just improving it. Isn't that even tax deductible?
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